LAS VEGAS — Keep in mind that Derrick Rose is not the boastful type.

Now fear for NBA defenses.

"It's there; I have a consistent 3-point shot now," Rose said Wednesday night. "You'll see. I just have so much confidence in my jump shot now. It's coming along so good. It's past even my expectations at this point."

Rose arrived here a week in advance of U.S. national team practices and to support the Bulls' summer-league team, which blew out the Clippers 79-50 at Cox Pavilion.

He spent the first half sitting next to player development coach Randy Brown on the Bulls' bench and the second half sitting courtside next to new coach Tom Thibodeau. At one point, old coach — and new Clippers coach — Vinny Del Negro stopped by to say hello to both.

To hear Rose tell it, that should be some rivalry next season.

"I'm happy for him," Rose said of Del Negro. "And I'm excited about what coach Thibodeau can do. He and I have been talking a lot. A lot.

"We've talked offense, defense, what we're going to do in certain situations. He's a cool guy. People say he's not a people person but you sit and talk to him and he'll talk for two hours. So that's not accurate.

"He's a workaholic. I sometimes leave the gym at 3 and come back at 11 at night to shoot and he's still in the office, going over film. He will come down, watch me work out and tell me things to work on. He's helping me a lot."

Rose said he left free agency up to management and would have welcomed any additions. But he called the signings of Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver and possibly J.J. Redick "perfect for our style."

"We definitely needed players like them," Rose said. "They're guys who have won and fill needs for us. I've talked to Boozer a lot. And Korver and I played on the U.S. select team. He can really shoot it.

"They're guys who don't care about themselves. They're for the team. That's what we need."

Rose has been splitting his offseason workouts between the Berto Center and Santa Monica, where he trains with Russell Westbrook and Tyreke Evans with trainer Rob McClanaghan.

That's why Rose isn't worried about burnout if he plays in the World Championships in Turkey that end three weeks before training camp.

"I'm in shape," Rose said. "But I don't think I'm a lock for the team. That's when things get taken away from you. I'm going to go play my regular way and hopefully make it."

Layups: The Bulls, who have $7 million tied into the first year of the J.J. Redick offer sheet, either will have about $5 million or $12 million off salary-cap space depending on the Magic's decision by Friday on Redick. They seek a big man and defensive wing depth with veterans such as Brad Miller, Kurt Thomas and Ronnie Brewer in play. ... Another free-agent target, Raja Bell, signed with the Jazz after spurning an offer from the Bulls.

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If that is true about his 3 pt shot, then this team just became much more dangerous. Hopefully his defense follows along.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

I completely agree.

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I dont think his defense will improve to all defensive team status, but it will be better. D-Rose has bad knees. He was experiencing tendinitis in his knees coming out of college, and pushing him on defense will just shorten his career IMO. Good to hear he has a 3 point shot tho.

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Seems like adding a consistent, effective 3 point shot isn't that difficult for these perimeter players and can make a huge difference in their value. Chauncey Billups went from a draft bust for Boston to an all-star PG for Detroit / Denver in part thanks to his improved 3 point shooting.

And although he came out of the same system in college as Ray Allen and Ben Gordon, Rip Hamilton was an inconsistent to atrocious 3 point shooter before he eventually doubled his 3 point percentage while in the league by concentrating on developing it during an off-season. (before having it collapse in more recent seasons)

Rose's development is what made them think about becoming the pro version of Cornell!

Was talking to my guy on Monday about how much better Rose got with his 3 in the offseason, which then made them think about creating this 3 point attack.

I still question the defense now?

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

I was encouraged by the reports that he told Lebron James he wasn't interested in playing second fiddle, which obviously didn't phase Lebron since he joined Wade's team. I want my franchise player to strive to be the man.

He knows what he needs to do to get there. I hope he can. He's still really young, even in a league that has a much lower amount of older players.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

His defense was more of a concern than 3 point shooting anyways, but if this is true it's good to hear. Rose isnt the boastful type, but there's also a huge difference between shooting open threes in a gym and in game situations. Let's hope it translates to the season. I agree that if he has added that he will be incredibly hard/damn near impossible to guard.

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Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

One of things I like about this is that it shows he is willing to realize his weak areas and work hard at trying to improve them.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

rose is the shit. he is going to make all you suck that fat cock of analytical spew that you all shit. someday like this new season hes gonna make all you choke on dried semen ferry tards. "oh his defense still needs to improve" blah blah hurl all over the 5 year old that didnt see it comin. and another thing rose has got man balls and i like balls. suck on rose balls fucknuts were gonna take on the 3 faggeteers in the 2011 playoffs and make them eat our shit for breakfast brunch and dessert pussy wannabees.

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the world will always the world. your entire existence is defined by your response.

coming from the guy who continually said those "faggeteers" would be playing on the Bulls.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

His opinion evolved. To some that may be progress.

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damn im fuckin drunk man. i dont remember saying fageteers cause i just posted three headed burrito monster. oh well its still funny. i say burrito a lot i guess. but yeah i wanted any one or two of those three to come to the bulls, i still think we would have had to lose rose or noah to get all three. rose and noah u just cant trade for anyone right now, im not even sure why but they are better people then labust and waddle and bush. noah has balls and is not a burrito. rose is still looking like the next mjeff.

but seriously... cleavleland. thats pretty much the worst insult ever in history of sports. i picture a slap chop being pushed into someones low heaven, and taking multiple slaps. blood everywhere, the river runs red.

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the world will always the world. your entire existence is defined by your response.